Santos Hernandez Flamenco Guitar (1937)

Spruce
Cypress
Mahogany neck
654mm string length
52mm nut width
Action 2.7mm bass 2.5mm treble
Height to bass string at saddle 10mm
7 fan strut construction at a weight of 1110g
F# tap tone
Lower bout 36cm
Upper bout 27cm
Wooden peg tuners with pearl inlay
French polish

'Santos Hernández is one of the most famous names in Spanish guitar making and is especially known for his flamenco guitars. He first apprenticed in the guitar making workshop of Valentin Viudes, and then briefly with Ortega and Gonzalez. In the mid-1890s, he served in the artillery of the Spanish Army, finally joining the workshop of Manuel Ramírez in the late 1890s as a journeyman. In 1909, he became the foreman of the workshop and is credited with building the famous 1912 guitar that was owned and used by André Segovia for much of his early career. After Manuel Ramirez died in 1916, Hernández established his own independent business. After his death in 1943, his widow continued to run the workshop eventually passing it to her nephew Feliciano Bayón.' (The Met NY)

This Santos is in truly exceptional condition and plays as well as any new guitar. It is amazingly light weight and quick and sensitive to play. It is has such a pretty plantia and the rosette is one of the most copied by luthiers even to this day. It has the signed label type usually reserved for the best guitars from his bench.

There are two repaired cracks to the back. Some minor repairs to the neck where capos have made indents. Other wise, the instrument is in superb original condition. It may be that at sometime in almost one hundred years, it has been re-polished and the frets replaced. The pegs are almost certainly modern replacements and do work well.

An opportunity to own an iconic guitar in fine playable condition for either flamenco or classical playing looking a fraction of its age. An investment without doubt. We have a picture file and a sound sample file.

Comes with a bullet proof black hard case.
£15500.00

---